A few new faces accompanied the AHL's oldest franchise to the Constitution State, specifically Phillip Grubauer and Brett Flemming, both reassigned from the ECHL's Reading Royals for Tuesday's 7 p.m. game against the Sound Tigers.

Meanwhile, forwards Alex Berry and Matt Pope were returned to the Reading Royals on Monday.

Grubauer and Flemming represent the club's first roster moves since NHL owners and players settled on a new collective bargaining agreement early Sunday morning, effectively ending the league's lockout at 113 days.

"I think it's exciting; the game needed it. It's about time, I think we all waited long enough," said Doug Yingst, Hershey's team president and general manager.

Head coach Mark French added, "As a hockey fan, I'm glad it ended for sure. I think the game of hockey, everybody appreciates it; maybe they will appreciate it a little bit more. I hope everyone comes back and gives it a chance."

The direct impact, with the exception of the AHL's December goalie of the month Braden Holtby, remains a mystery for the Bears. Washington Capitals across the globe have taken the fast track back to D.C. in anticipation of training camp. Several reports project them to start this weekend, followed by the opening of the regular season Jan. 19.

"We look forward to it; we don't expect to lose too many players.

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" Yingst said. "That will all be determined in the next couple days as soon as the signing takes place."

According to Yingst, AHL waiver rules, among other things, were scheduled to be reviewed between the leagues Monday in conjunction with the new CBA. French also does not expect significant roster distortion.

"We're still waiting on finalizing all the details of when training camp's going to start," he said. "I haven't heard concrete deadlines on that stuff. I'd imagine that's coming pretty shortly."

Grubauer, scheduled to start in the ECHL All-Star Game later this month, projects to replace Holtby, who ranks seventh all-time in Hershey wins (73-45-7) and fifth with 14 shutouts.

"It's been a lot of games played here," said Holtby after a 2-1 loss to Worcester on Sunday night at Giant Center. "I don't know if it's going to be my last game or not, but it's been a lot of fun here. ... All I've heard is on the Twitter world like everyone else."

Either way, one thing remains consistent in Dany Sabourin. The veteran goalie "Sabu" played tag-team partner with "Holts" for the past three seasons, sharing the same corner of the locker room.

"He's been great here. That's the reason he's been here for three years," Holtby said. "He's an outstanding teammate, especially as a goalie partner. Those are hard to come by; they don't come around too often. Guys that are - when it comes down to it - just great people."

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Sabourin made two starts in December, picking up a pair of wins at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Dec. 7 and Dec. 27. An increased workload or leadership role should be no burden for the 32-year-old keeper with NHL playoff experience.

"He offers a calming influence, especially for a young guy. When I was first a teammate with him, he did a lot for me," said Holtby.

Grubauer made his first AHL start on Oct. 21 against Binghamton, dropping a 2-1 overtime loss in bizarre fashion. The contest ended with both teams huddled around the benches following a three-minute video review of the Senators' game-winning goal, initially disallowed when the net came off its moorings.

The 20-year-old keeper stopped 24 of 26 shots, and came 6.5 seconds short of making it through his first AHL overtime.

"I don't think guys can worry too much about going to Washington and things like that," said Taffe, leading the Bears with 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists). "I think they have their team pretty much set. They want winners and right now we're not quite getting the job done. I think if guys starting playing a little harder, winning some games, I think that's when they start taking a look more."

Captain Kane û
Bears center Boyd Kane needs one game to reach 1,000 as a professional. The 34-year-old forward has played in 999 games combined between the ECHL, AHL and NHL.

"He continues to be, I think, probably the best leader in the American Hockey League," French said. "There's no questioning his respect he has in the room."

Kane should also be making his 900th appearance in the AHL later this week. He departed Giant Center on Monday three games away from becoming the 12th player in the league to reach the mark.

"I think he's a tribute to the organization and will probably be remembered as one of the all-time great leaders," added French.

The Bears' two-game road trip rolls through Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday before returning home to host Connecticut on Saturday and Sunday.

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